Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan, the World Bank and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) jointly organized the first high-level political regional dialogue under the slogan “Building a future with clean air in Central Asia "

The purpose of the event is to promote coordinated actions among countries in the region and exchange of knowledge in the field of air pollution prevention. High-ranking representatives of the governments of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan took part in the dialogue.

Air pollution is a global problem. About 7 million people die every year from diseases caused by air pollution, according to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition to its impact on human health, air pollution causes huge economic losses, estimated at more than US$8 trillion per year. It causes significant damage to the environment.

In Central Asia, as in other parts of the world, air quality in urban and rural areas is affected by transboundary pollution caused by local pollution from fossil fuel combustion in industry, the heating sector and transport. In addition, one of the sources of pollution in cities is increasing sand and dust storms.

Most air quality-related illnesses and premature deaths in Central Asia are associated with fine suspended particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5). Their concentration in large cities of the region is often several times higher than the permissible air quality indicators recommended by WHO. This is especially noticeable in the winter season during the period of intensive operation of the heating sector. According to the IQAir portal, which monitors global air quality, Central Asian cities are often among the cities in the world with the most polluted air.

To address air pollution issues, efforts to improve air quality management are intensifying as part of the region’s governments’ plans to transition to green economies and decarbonize various sectors. Central Asian countries recognize that air quality management is a major challenge that requires collaborative, integrated and cross-sectoral efforts at local, national and regional levels, involving various stakeholders and international partners.

The authorities of the Central Asian countries can achieve their common goals in this area through the implementation of various measures. These include adopting health-sensitive air quality standards, implementing comprehensive government air quality management policies and programs, implementing advanced air pollution forecasting tools, and promoting regional cooperation to combat local and transboundary pollution.

Transboundary cooperation in the prevention of air pollution requires close interaction between the authorities of the countries concerned in order to agree on national policy priorities and exchange knowledge and international experience in this area.

The first regional high-level political dialogue in Tashkent, held under the slogan “Building a clean air future in Central Asia,” brought together representatives of various government bodies from Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The event was also attended by leading experts in the field of air quality management from Asia and Europe.

The event participants studied government measures and practices in the field of air quality management in the countries of Central Asia. A methodology for sharing data on air pollution impacts and impacts was presented, and priority areas for accelerating regional cooperation on air quality management were identified. Representatives of the countries participating in the dialogue confirmed the determination of their governments to deepen cooperation and develop appropriate government measures to improve air quality.

“Managing air quality is a complex process that requires understanding the sources of air pollution and identifying measures to improve the situation in relevant sectors. These measures require more detailed data, effective legislation harmonized between neighboring countries, strong government institutions, and developed green infrastructure. By working together, the countries of Central Asia can make the region’s air cleaner!” said Valerie Hickey, World Bank Global Director for Environment, Natural Resources and Blue Economy.

“Air pollution knows no borders, so cooperation between Central Asian countries in this area is extremely important. This dialogue will help increase investment in clean air to protect the health of Central Asians,” said Sylvie Motard, Deputy Director of the European Office of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).